Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Marist
Bucknell Volleyball Goes Down to Marist, 3-0
9/5/2009 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 5, 2009
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Bucknell volleyball struggled in its first match at the Marist Volley in the Valley, falling to the host Red Foxes 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-11) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Saturday afternoon. Kaitlin Segal (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) led the Bison (2-2) in kills for the third consecutive match, recording six on the afternoon.
The Bison kept things competitive in the first set. Segal opened the scoring with an immediate kill, and Bucknell soon took a 5-2 lead following a service ace from Heidi Kamp (Eugene, Ore./Henry D. Sheldon). Marist stayed in the game, however, and moved ahead for the first time at 9-8 with a kill by Allie Burke. The Red Foxes' lead was extended to four points as the Bison were unable to slow Lindsey Schmid who recorded three consecutive kills fro 14-10.
Coming out of a timeout, Bucknell got a string of kills for itself. Ragin Jackson (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick-Hudson), Kyleigh McAhren (Napa, Calif./Justin-Siena) and Anne Ellenberger (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon Honors) combined for four kills, and Emily Sawanobori (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) served an ace to set the score at 19-17 in favor of Marist.
Bucknell was never able to regain its advantage, although it did come close. A block solo from Kamp brought the Bison to within a single point at 22-21, and the team threatened again at 23-22 after a Marist service error. Unable to clear the final hurdle, the Bison dropped the opening set by three points.
Set two began optimistically for Bucknell, as the team took a 4-1 lead with the help of a kill by Segal and a pair of block assists by Jackson and McAhren. As Marist regained control of the serve, however, Schmid posted five consecutive aces, taking control of the match as a result. A 10-2 Marist run set the score at 12-6.
The Marist service game proved to be a key factor in the Red Foxes' success, according to head coach Cindy Opalski. Marist registered 14 aces on the day, compared to just 4 for Bucknell.
"Marist really took us out of our game plan with their service game," Opalski said. "We did not do a good job of service receiving. We're looking forward to doing a better job this afternoon."
McAhren broke the Red Foxes' streak with a kill, and Segal helped out with a kill of her own on the next point. A block assist by Kamp and Kebah Edoho (Odenton, Md./Arundel) brought Bucknell to within three points, but it proved to be too little as Marist used a second run to close the door on the set. The Red Foxes took 13 of the next 19 points, ending the set at 25-15.
Bucknell never got off the ground in the third, falling behind early, 7-0. The Bison put together a mini-run later in the set, getting back-to-back kills a trio of kills from McAhren and Kamp as well as a service ace from McAhren. The streak set the score at 17-8, but the deficit proved to be too great as the Bison fell 25-11 to end the match.
In her first year in the Orange & Blue, Jackson continued to make her presence known for the Bison. The freshman posted five kills and a team-best three blocks. Allison Gittings (Dayton, Md./Glenelg) and Rachel Rodriguez (Sagamore Hills, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) again split the setting success, earning eight assists apiece. Sawanobori also continued her high defensive prowess, recording 10 digs.
Marist's Schmid led both teams with nine service aces, while Joanna Foss led with eight kills. Emily Brosky added 11 digs, and Dawn Jan set a match-high 18 assists.
Bucknell is back on the court later today, taking on Byrant at 4:30 p.m. in the second game of the Volley in the Valley tournament. Live stats will be available on GameTracker.
